SMART Technologies launches enhanced doctor appraisal and revalidation solution

SMART Technologies has announced the launch of an enhanced appraisal and revalidation solution for UK NHS trusts.

The SMART Appraisal and Revalidation solution enables health organisations to manage doctors’ licenses to practice in the UK, and helps healthcare organisations comply with new Department of Health and General Medical Council regulations regarding mandatory doctor appraisal and revalidation.

Under the new rules, which came into force on 3 December, revalidation is mandatory for all UK NHS trusts. This is the process by which the GMC will confirm the ongoing validity of a doctor’s license to practise in the UK. The measures will provide assurance to the public, patients and healthcare professionals that doctors have met all applicable legal requirements and are up to date and fit to practise.

The SMART Appraisal and Revalidation solution helps NHS trusts to automate the process of maintaining evidence for the mandatory annual appraisals. In addition, it helps the Responsible Officer comply with regulations regarding maintenance of records for the five-year revalidation of doctors.

Notable features of the solution include:

• A built-in colour-coded system of red, amber, and green indicators highlights where extra support or training may be required to keep doctors on track for revalidation
• Consultant job planning/service planning functionality helps medical managers plan efficient service delivery and provide evidence that consultants’ and senior doctors’ contractual obligations are met
• Job planning functionality supports medical managers in NHS trusts to allocate consultants’ time across direct clinical care, supporting professional activity (training and research), and annual leave to meet their contractual obligations
• Trusts can baseline consultants’ and staff grade/associate doctors’ programmed activity throughout the year and provide evidence to link the activity to the correct income stream for HR and finance, which will assist with meeting CIP/QIPP targets while supporting pay progression and CEA applications

The SMART Appraisal and Revalidation solution was formerly known as Medtracker. SMART parent company, Kronos, acquired the product in January 2013 to provide enhanced capabilities to its NHS customers

Tristan Spencer, director of SMART, said: “SMART Appraisal and Revalidation builds on our competencies of providing solutions for the healthcare market to help deliver workplace efficiencies and meet legislation.

The solution was developed with both clinical input and best business practice to manage costs and workforces. Our enhanced Appraisal and Revalidation solution not only benefits doctors, but also provides assurance to the public and patients that rigorous systems have been followed to revalidate medical licenses. The solution’s NHS credentials complement our established portfolio of solutions that enable NHS trusts to manage and optimise clinical services and provide high-quality patient care.”